While breakups, personal struggles and tragedy can be painful events in our lives, they also bring opportunities for new beginnings and critical introspection – they also make great songwriting material. Life is Good is Nas' tenth studio album (his third under his deal with Def Jam) and features a man fresh off his divorce from Kelis, a man who has grown from the experience and feels confident and content with how things have gone since then – enough so as to have his ex-wife’s wedding dress (or part of it, anyway) on the album cover.

“Life Is Good” Q&A

Why is there only one guest verse on the album?

I didn’t want a lot of people on the album since it’s been four years for me. Next album I’ll do more features, but on this one I didn’t want to have a lot of people on the album. I also have Mary J. Blige on vocals. I’m drawn to that soulful sound.

How did this album chart?

This album peaked at #1 on Billboard’s US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, Top Rap Albums, the Billboard 200.